List of Main Characters

Juliet

Juliet is the daughter of the head of the Capulet house and is not yet fourteen years old.  She is considered to be the means by which her family can improve their social standing in Verona.  She is the only character in the play to develop and mature over the four days of her life.  She is the tragic heroine who sacrifices her position and life for the love of Romeo.

Romeo

Romeo is the son of the head of the Montague house and at the start of the play is much respected in Verona.  He is an accomplished swordsman, killing two key players during the course of the play. He is also an adept lover, quickly seducing Juliet, but he too shares a real love for her.

Mercutio

Mercutio is a kinsman of the Prince of Verona and a close friend of Romeo and is the only character that sees through the shallowness of the Veronese society.  He is quick tempered and ends up accepting Tybalt’s challenge to Romeo and is killed as a result.  He issues a curse on both houses.

Tybalt

Tybalt is Juliet’s cousin and is a violent and hot-tempered champion of the Capulet cause. He has an overpowering sense of honor and is always quick to draw his sword.

The Nurse

Juliet’s nursemaid, who effectively brought up Juliet, acts as a go-between for Romeo and Juliet, but it is her eventual loyalty to the Capulet family that makes Juliet discard her as her confidante.

Friar Laurence

He is a member of the Franciscan Order; he is Romeo’s confessor and gives advice to both the heroes. He conducts their secret marriage and hopes to restore peace between the feuding families. He is proficient in the art of using herbs and devises a plan for Romeo and Juliet to be together outside of Verona.  His good intentions are thwarted due to the intervention of fate.

Paris

He is another kinsman to the Prince is attractive and has influence in the city and he hopes to marry Juliet. He is killed by Romeo at the Capulet tomb.

Capulet and Lady Capulet

They are the heads of this household, the father being quick tempered and anxious to improve his family’s status in the city.  Lady Capulet, like all women of Verona, is subservient to her husband and supports his plans for the family.  She has a poor relationship with her daughter, leaving her upbringing to the nurse.

Montague and Lady Montague

He is head of his household, but his wife is in contrast to Lady Capulet in that she is outspoken about the violence that emanates from the family feud.  She is very close to her son and is concerned at his melancholy behavior at the start of the play. She is also aware that he is keeping secrets from her and when he is banished she dies of grief.

Benvolio

Benvolio is Montague’s nephew and a friend of Romeo. He unsuccessfully tries to keep the peace between Tybalt and Mercutio.

Prince of Verona (Escalus)

The Prince is the only one able to restore law and order in Verona when the two families fight.  He is eventually forced to make a decree that those found to break the peace may face the ultimate punishment. However, despite this, fighting continues and as a result Romeo is exiled. In the end it is the deaths of Romeo and Juliet that bring a lasting peace to Verona.